English Journal, Vol. 86, No. 3, March 1997

Table of Contents

Issue Theme: Young Adult Literature

• It's the THAT, Teacher

  Ted Hipple

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  Abstract: Questions the value of classic literature in teaching secondary school students to read for pleasure. Suggests that a better vehicle for the same goal is young adult literature like "The Outsiders."

  Keywords: Secondary, Literature

• Today's Teens, Their Problems, and Their Literature: Revisiting G. Robert Carlsen's Books and the Teenage Reader Thirty Years Later

  Pamela Sissi Carroll

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  Abstract: Revisits G. Robert Carlsen's call for the use of young adult literature in the classroom by looking specifically at the emotional and reading needs of older adolescents, those in the upper grades. Discusses problems associated with adolescence in the late twentieth century and lists recommended young adult books that touch on those issues.

  Keywords: Secondary, Literature

• Young Adult Literature in the Classroom-Or Is It?

  John H. Bushman

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  Abstract: Questions the use of classic literature in the lower secondary school grades and reports on a survey of reading experience and habits, both in and outside of school, among 380 students in grades 6-12. Suggests that young adult literature can do what schools have not--turn adolescents into avid readers.

  Keywords: Middle, Secondary, Literature

• Honoring the Best YA Books of the Year: 1964-1995

  Ken Donelson

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  Abstract: Expresses disappointment in the book and publishing community for not giving an award each year to the best young adult book. Presents an annotated list of the author's own favorites for each year from 1964 to 1995.

  Keywords: Middle, Secondary, Literature, Reading

• Collected Wisdom: The Best Articles Ever Written on Young Adullt Literature and Teen Reading

  Richard F. Abrahamson

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  Abstract: Presents an annotated list of best articles on young adult literature from 1912 to the present. Divides the articles into sections on the rationale for young adult literature, the dimensions of young adult literature, using young adult literature in the classroom, and censorship and the young adult novel.

  Keywords: Middle, Secondary, Literature, Reading

• What's New in Young Adult Literature for High School Students?

  Lois T. Stover

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  Abstract: Discusses, from the perspective of the co-editor of the National Council of Teachers of English's annotated yearly booklist for high school students, new young adult literature and trends. Presents annotations of adolescent literature on hot topics (AIDS, abuse, death), choices and transitions, poetry, nonfiction, diversity issues, and historical fiction.

  Keywords: Secondary, Literacy, Reading

• Adult Books for Young Adults

  Betty Carter

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  Abstract: Considers the differences between young adult and adult books and maintains that teachers must be familiar with young adults' tastes for both. Suggests that traffic between these publishing divisions is a two-way street, with young adults reading adult books and adults reading young adult books.

  Keywords: Secondary, Literature

• Don Gallo: The Godfather of YA Short Stories

  Chris Crowe

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  Abstract: Presents an interview with Don Gallo, editor of seven anthologies of short stories and one collection of plays, and author or editor of seven books about young adult fiction for teachers and scholars.

  Keywords: Secondary, Literature

• Chris Lynch

  Chad Fleming

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  Abstract: Reviews the work of an increasingly prominent writer of young adult literature, Chris Lynch, whose gritty realism has made him an object of both controversy and admiration.

  Keywords: Secondary, Literature

• Readers Responding: Creative Writing and YA Literature

  Alleen Pace Nilsen

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  Abstract: Recommends an acclaimed anthology of young adult short stories, "Sixteen: Short Stories by Outstanding Writers for Young Adults" (1984), and discusses how the stories in it might be used as a basis for exercises in creative writing.

  Keywords: Secondary, Literature

• Beyond Voices of Readers: Students on School's Effects on Reading

  Jim Cope

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  Abstract: This article summarizes and explicates research on 272 twelfth-grade students' reading autobiographies. Cope quotes from some noteworthy comments and makes some suggestions on how teachers and schools might do a better job of teaching literature.

  Keywords: Secondary, Literature, Pedagogy, Reading

• Our Repressed Reading Addictions: Teachers and Young Adult Series Books

  Louann Reid and Ruth K. J. Cline

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  Abstract: In this article, Louann Reid and Ruth K.J. Cline tout the attraction of series novels to avid readers and the role of these novels both as entrees into reading and as the books kids like to read best when they read for pleasure. They argue that pleasure reading is not just for after school—that, in fact, that students who only know reading as an assignment never come to enjoy reading as lifelong readers. These students don’t read except when they have to and, so, never develop the reading skills they so need to succeed in our information-processing, problem-solving world.

• RainbowTeachers/Rainbow Students: Learning a Second Culture: The Context of Our Classrooms

  MaryCarmen Cruz and Ogle Burks Duff

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  Abstract: Discusses the challenges facing "rainbow teachers" in developing the habits of academic literacy in their "rainbow students:" teaching them how to write and speak as a member of an academic community, how and when to request information and from whom to request it.

  Keywords: Secondary

• Teaching Ideas

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  Abstract: Presents three short essays designed to stimulate teachers in their approaches to teaching literature and writing as the school year draws to a close.

  Keywords: Secondary

• Middle Ground

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  Abstract: Discusses what it means to have parents involved in their son or daughter's progress in school. Outlines in detail the cooperation between two divorced parents of an underachieving child and his teacher.

  Keywords: Secondary

• Young Adult Literature: Do You Really Think That's Funny?

  Janet S. Allen

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  Abstract: Presents annotations of 32 works of young adult literature that are not depressing but rather give the reader a good laugh.

  Keywords: Secondary

• Letters to EJ

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  Abstract: Letters to EJ Available in print version only.

  Keywords: Secondary

• From the Editor

  Virginia R. Monseau

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  Abstract: Abstract for this article is currently not available.

  Keywords: Secondary

• Bedside Table: Everything You Wanted to Know About Reading

  Anne Shaughnessy

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  Abstract: Abstract for this article is currently not available.

  Keywords: Secondary

• One Person's Opinion: My Dream for NCTE

  Allen Berger

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  Abstract: Available in print issue only.

  Keywords: Secondary

• Resources and Reviews: Critical Choices in Beginning Reading and Writing

  Jane Slater

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  Abstract: Available in print issue only.

  Keywords: Secondary

• This World of English

  Daniel A. Heller

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  Abstract: Available in print issue only.

  Keywords: Secondary

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